Jorge Messi reportedly under investigation for laundering drug money

Jorge Messi, the father and representative of Barcelona’s four-time Ballon d’Or winner, Leo Messi is reportedly under investigation by the UCO (Central Operational Unit of the Civil Guard) in relation to money laundering connected to Colombian drug traffickers.

According to newspaper, El Mundo, the money in question that the UCO are looking into stems from the suspicion that Jorge Messi is linked with making contact with the drug traffickers and selling front row tickets to the ‘Messi and Friends’ charity match, in which the elder Messi would receive a commission of 10 to 20%.

The report goes on to add that four Barcelona players were questioned by the UCO over the past several days in connection to the event that they all participated in last summer; Jose Manuel Pinto, Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and, of course, Leo Messi.

The players all responded that they had no knowledge of any dubious business dealings and that they only participated in the event because they were asked to do so, as they have on many other occasions.

Neither Jorge, Leo or any other players who were questioned have spoken about the issue as of publication. However, the Messi family are now taking legal council and may consider action against El Mundo for the nature of the article published, believing it to be nothing more than another smear campaign by the Madrid media, attempting to discredit Leo by causing controversy, ahead of the Ballon d’Or awards.